June 16, Kathmandu – Google Chrome, the world’s most widely used internet browser, has implemented a significant change in its extension framework. With this new update, ad-blocking software used in Chrome is becoming less effective. Popular ad blockers like ‘uBlock Origin’ have ceased to function fully within Chrome. According to Google, this change involves retiring the older extension API, ‘Manifest V2,’ and introducing ‘Manifest V3.’ As of July 2025, Chrome has permanently disabled all legacy MV2 extensions, which led to the removal of ‘uBlock Origin’ from the Chrome Web Store.
Following the update, ad blockers can no longer perform ‘dynamic filtering,’ that is, blocking ads in real time before the website fully loads. Google states that this move aims to enhance user security and improve browser performance. The company argues that recent incidents of malware propagation and data theft through various Chrome extensions have necessitated these new rules. However, cybersecurity experts and technologists have criticized Google’s decision. They contend that because Google’s primary revenue stems from digital advertising, the company is motivated to weaken ad blockers in favor of its commercial interests.
Cybersecurity specialists emphasize that ad blockers do more than just block ads; they protect users from harmful online redirects, tracking, and malicious advertisements. Weakening ad blockers increases cyber risks for users, they warn. Despite these changes, a version called ‘uBlock Origin Lite’ remains available for Chrome users. For complete ad-blocking needs, browsers like Firefox or Brave still support the full functionality of ‘uBlock Origin’ effectively.
